Airship



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 G. L. KAYDEN AIRSHIP Filed Aug. 23, 195o July 26, `1932.

lNvENToR GusZaveL. Kayden BY .7A M

' AT RNEY July 26, 1932. G. L. KAYDEN AIRSHIP Filed Aug. 25, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 n Mk EN oR ayden AT1-:0mm

Patented July 26, 1932 PATENT orfricls:i

GUs'rAvn L. KAYnnN, or NEW YORK, nl` Y.

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Application led August 23, 1930. Serial No. 477,275.

This invention relates to airships and particularly, to that type designed to rise and' descend substantially vertically witha mm1-y mum amount of horizontal movement, to

Yhover in the air, and to land in a comparatively small space.

My invention contemplates' the provision of a series ofv movable wings designed to be operated in the direction required to produce f` fluid pressure for the proper manipulation of the ship.

My invention provision of simple means designed for suficiently rapid continuous movement for the '1 purpose intended, of such construction lthat it is not likely to get out of order', and positive in operation, to cause the wing to operate in a manner which may be best described asa `substantially semi-circular downward rotary f movement alternating with an upright feathering movement. In other words, the wing is caused to rise during its movement substantiallyv vertically to feather the' wing, and then is swung rapidly about its lower end through an angle of Asubstantially 180 to produce a rapid `beating action to produce the pressure required to support and operate the ship.

My invention contemplates the 'arrangement of such wings in the proper position for control by the operator, and forproducing the required effect to lift the airship and to' maintain it at any desired altitude. My invention further contemplates the provision of means for operating a series of such wings in proper timed relation so that thevlifting effect on the airship may be maintained at all times as desired during the Hight thereof, and the provision of means for cushioning i? the wing when the direction'of its movement is changed. l

rPhe various objects of my invention will be clear from the description whichfollows, and from the drawings, in which, 'i

` Fig. 1 is a side elevation of my improved ship, part of the right hand portion being broken away, and showing the arrangement of the wings and the operating mechanism therefor. v i

' Fig. Q is a top plan View ofthe gearing confurther contemplates the Vas by means of horizontal braces 13 and 14 tional and linear movements 'alternately and neet-ion between the'source of power and the wing. Figf is-afront elevation of the airship, showing the wings and the operating mechanism therefor, and showing particularly, how 55 its operative stroke, and for cushioning the .ing'just prior to theV change of direction of movement thereof. I f 65" v Fig. 7 is-a.l diagrammatic perspective view of vmy improved ship` showing a modified form of the frame therefor. and Fig. 8 is' across section of a modified form f 0 In that embodiment of my' inventionillus- 7' trated by way of example, --anyy suitably braced frame as 10 of light but durable mater` rial in the form of a cage, as shown in Fig. 7- or in other forms, and suitable for supporting 75 the various instrumentalities soon to bedescribed.y may beprovided. f l

As 'illustrated in Figs. land 3, the frame".` lO-mayconsist of a numbery of spaced upright' members 11,'each provided withezztendingv arms as 12,in whichthe lmechanism for *supi* porting" the wingsy and' for voperating said wings may be mounted. 'i The upright meml bers 11y maybe suitably braced and connected as well as intermediate braces.,l should they be required, and said members y11v 'may be` imultiplied and asl many/.arranged in the frame as able. y

One of the important features of my invention is the mechanism for operating each of the wings15. A series of such wings are provided and the operating mechanism therefor is so designed that the tip of the wingr rotates downwardly about its lower edge as.y a pivot,through a substantially semi-circular path designated by the numeral 16 in Fig. 3,' and is then feathered upwardly, the rota#V mavbe found convenient or desir the movei'nent of the wing being continuous. T he path 1G consists, therefore, of a portion which is approximately a semi-circle, as shown by the dotted lines 17, which semicircle is closed by its vertical diameter 18.

It will be seen that during the downward rotational movement of the wing through the semi-circular path 1T, a beating action is obtained whereby suflicient pressure may be generated to lift and support the ship, the wings being made of sufficient size and area for that purpose and a suflieient number of such wings being provided. It will further be understood that the wing should be symmetrical about its Center line since it is reversed in position at the completion of each movement thereof. Each of the wings tei minates in an inner end plate 19 (F igs, et, 5 and 8), to which is secured an annular toothed member 2O in the form of a pair of combined parallel racks and arcuate gear portions joining the racks. In other words, the member Q0 is of substantially rectangular outline hut has arcuate ends, being also provided with an opening as 21 therein, the edges of which are parallel to the pitch line of the teeth of said member. For supporting the toothed member 9.0 and the wing secured thereto, I prefer to provide a shaft as Q2 mounted upon the arm 12 and carrying thereon a suitable roller 23 which is inserted into and engages the edge 24 of thel opening Q1 at all times.

The gear wheel 25 is mounted upon a shaft 26 also supported in an ai'in 12, and at a i'iXed distance from the shaft 22. By reason of the fixed relation of the axes of the shafts 2G and 22, the teeth of the gear wheeland of the toothed member are maintained permanently7 in mesh and rotation of the gear wheel causes operation of the toothed member, no matter which part of the edge 24k of the opening 21 is engaged by the roller s3. When either of the arcuate ends 27 or :28 of the member 20 is in engagement with the gear wheel, it will be seen that a rapid rotation of the member 2O is effected through an angle of substantially 180. Vvlhen the wheel 25 meshes with the straight or rack portions Q9 or BO of the inember 20, then said member, together with the wing carried thereby, is given a sonicwhat slower upward movement. Continuous rotation of the gear wheel 25 therefore operates the member 2O alternately through a downward rotational movement and through an upward featherin g movement substantially in the plane of the wing.

It will be understood that during the upward portion of the movement of the wing, corresponding to the path portion 18, substantially no air pressure is created, but that when the toothed lower curved end as Q8, of the member Q0 comes into engagement with the gear teeth, then the wing is rapidly rotated downwardly through the path 1?, and

beats downwardly upon and through the air and to produce the required lifting ellcct. The roller during this movement serves not only as a support for the wing but maintains the teeth of the member 20 in engagement with the gear 25, and also acts as a pivot for the wing. Since the member 20 is reversed after each stroke, I prefer to make said meinber together with the wing 15 syn'nnetrical about a plane passing through the axis thereof.

As illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, have provided means for moie gradually changing the direction of movement of the wing from its semi-circular path 1T to its upward path 18, than is possible, when the annular rack or toothed member 2O illustrated in Fig. 3 is used. In the modified form shown in Figs. l and 5, the toothed member 31 comprises the parallel rack portions and 83 both parallel to the axis of the wing, and includes the arcuate ends 3i and 85 which are somewhat less in extent than a semi-circle, as well as the inclined straight or arcuate portions 3G, 3T, 38 and 39 joining the respective arcuate ends and straight portions and being tangent thereto. The edge 40 of the opening d1 in the member 31 is, of course, parallel to and concentric with the pitch line of the teeth of said member, as has been eX- plained in connection with the member 20. In this modiiication, the speed of rotation of the wing through the path portion 17 remains unaffected, but the change in direction of movement of the wing due to the inclined portions 3G, 87, 88 and 39 is not effected so rapidly, but more gradually, so that shock and wear upon the mechanism may be lessened.

This purpose may also be attained in various other ways. For example, the shock upon the mechanism due to the change of direction from the path 17 to the path 18 may be largely absorbed by the use of suitable shock-absorbing devices. .As illustrated, such a device comprises the headed pin 4:5, mounted for horizontal movement in a suitable opening Lit in the upright frame member 11, and yieldable when the edge of the plate 19 strikes it. The pressure of the wing or end plate 19 upon the pin, is absorbed by a suitable spring 4:7 coiled thereabout, and abutting at one end against the pin head and at its other end against the frame.

Said spring serves to maintain the pin in the proper position to resist the latter part of the rotational movement of said wing` and therebj.Y to absorb the shock which may be caused by a sudden change of direction of movement from rotary to linear.

As shown in Fig. 6, an aii cushion may be provided in the latter pait of the downward rotational movement of the wing for the same jriurposc, in place of the spring if?" and pin, or in addition thereto. In this form of cushioning means, I provide a casing-comprising the substantially vertical-,innermost wall 50, the arcuate bottom wall .51,and the pairof side walls 52 joining; the bottom and .inner walls 50 and 51. The outer edges of.

the walls 52 are inclined upwardlyand inwardly toward the pivot of the wing, and the bottom wall v5l is provided .with suitable openings, holes orslits153. V'The wing 15,

considerable velocity downwardly, and thereby acts to produce a lifting effect upon the ship. t

As shown in F ig. 8, the wing 55 may be provided with similarcurved ends 56, arranged symmetrically about the center line of the wing, to produce greater pressure upon the air in its downward stroke, about its left edge. Said wing may be built up 1 of suitable light material, being provided with internal 'braces 57 covered` with fabric 58 stretched thereupon and suitably stiffened in a manner which `is wellknown and hence need not be further described.

It is desirable that at least one pair, and if desired, more than one pairof wings be operative at all times.' Toward this end, the operation -of the various members A2O may betimed in a manner somewhat similar to the timing of the pistons in a four-cycle in'- ternal combustion engin-e. vFor eXample, the l uppermost pair of wings, arein the early part of their operative stroke while Vthe lowermost pair 76 are in the latter part of said stroke. Thesthird set 77 from the top, are` just viinishing their inoperative strokes while the second pair 78 is about to start its inoperative stroke'. It will be' understood that as many pairs of wings as may be found desirable may bevused, since my invention contemplates the use of a pluralityof setslof wings so timed that suiicient pressure is obtained at all times to createthe desired liftingetfect. t

As shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 7, the wingsof an opposed pair are simultaneously operated in opposite directions to obtain proper balance of the shipi Each of such pair of wings may be operated byY an `independent motor should it be desired to do so but I have shown a vsingle motor 60 for operating all .of the wings. The motor shaft 61 is connected at its ends by suitable worms 62 to the worm wheel, gears 63 `and 6ft on the uprightshafts 65 and 66. carries a series of bevel gears 67 and 68,

Each of said shafts 65"a1id 66r meshing respectively. with similar gears m69 and 70 on the respective drive shafts 26. The gear 25 on the same shaft,26 engages the toothed `member 2() .which is in turn-supported, 'as has been 'previously explained, by the-shaft 22 vand the roller 23 thereon. Since the lkcorresponding simultaneously operated wing 115 of t ie pair should rotate in the opposite direction, asecond gear 125 engages the gear 25 and operates the member` 20, all as shown. inF ig. 2. V

`aik

Similarly, that shaft 26 carryingr the bevel gear 70 may extend across the frame and carries a` gear .wheel 25 meshing with a toothed member20.

By means ofthis arrangement of gearing,

it will beseen .that two pairs of wings are I simultaneouslyfoperated, each pair consist# ing of wings-'rotatingin opposite directions to properly balance the machine during its operation- .The various shafts 26 for aligned wings maybe combined, if desired,'but as shown,.a separate shaft is used since a single shaft could not cross the shafts 65 and 66 if bevel gears are used.` It is to 'be understood thatr the gearing shown and ydescribed for connecting the motor 60 to the gears 20 is .elle i merely illustrative, and that any suitable arrangement-of gearing may be substituted therefor. A suitable fuselage asl79may-be Vsecuredto the frame,1 or said frame, as illusi trated in Fig. 7 may be made'ofy suiicient extent to provide 'a' cabinor cage for the operator, and provided with suitable controls.

(Forward or rearward movement of the ship may be obtained inthe customary manner by known in the art and hence which need not be describedl nor shown. It will be seen that I have provided tion to cause ylifting pressure to-raise the com- Yparatively simple mechanism for operating theiwings of an airship inlthe proper direcmeans of suitable propellers in a manner well y ship to'thedes'ired height and to maintain it! y at such` height, that the 'shipinay rise and descend substantially vertically, andthat the mechanism is 'well suited to thepurposes for which it is intended.

While I have shown and described certain y specific embodiments of my invention, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself thereto since I intend to claim my invention as broadlyas may be permitted by the state of the prior art and the terms of the appended claims. l

I claim; i Y

1. The combination with an airship` wing,

of an endplate therefor, a toothed elongated .gear member having a central opening ytherein parallel to the pitch line` ofthe teeth of said member, a' gear wheel in operative engagment with said gear member, and rmeans .movable relatively to the edges of said opening, but Xed relatively to said gear wheel for maintaining said gear member in constant engagement with said gear wheel.

The combination with the wing of an airship, of an elongated toothed gear member for rotating said wing downwardly through an angle of approximately 180 from the initial position thereof, and for feathering said wing upwardly into initial position, the pitch line for the teeth of said member being of closed outline` comprising straight line portions and arcuate portions, saidgear member having an opening therein arranged inwardly of said pitch line, the edge of the opening being parallel to said pitch line, a fixed roller engaging the edge of said opening for maintaining the operative teeth of said gear member at a predetermined iixed distance from said roller, and a gear wheel engaging the operative teeth of said gear member.

3. Means for operating the wing of an airsliip downwardly through an angle of approximately 180 from the initial position thereof about a fixed pivot, and then bodily upwardly relatively to said pivot in substantially the plane of the wing into its initial position, comprising a toothed end member secured t0 said wing` having a pitch line of closed outline including arcuate portions and straight line portions joining the arcuate portions, and having an opening therein, the edge of said opening being parallel to said pitch line, means constituting the pivot and supported on a fixed axis and engaging said edge for supporting said member, and means engaging the teeth of said member for operating` said member.

Ll. Means for operating a movable wing of an airship to produce a downward beating -eii'ect and an upward feathering` action of the wing alternately, comprising a toot-hed member for the wing, said toothed member being provided with teeth, the pitch line of said teeth comprising a pair of parallel lines joined at their ends by arcuate lines, a member arranged with its axis lixed and at a predetermined distance at all times from said pitch line for engaging and supporting said toothed member, and means engaging the teeth of said toothed member for operating the same.

5. The combination with a movable wing of an airship, of a toothed gear member comprising a pair of parallel straight racks joined by arcuate racks, the pitch line of said racks` relation whereby at least one pair of said wings is operating downwardly to produce a beating eifect, comprising a toothed member for each of said wings having a continuous closed pitch line, a stationary pivot for said member, said pivotand said member being relatively movable, and a gear wheel mounted on an axis in fixed relation to said pivot and engaging the teeth of said gear member.

7, In an airship, awing, a combined support and pivot for the wing, and means for operating said wing for rotational movement downwardly from its substantially vertical initial position wherein the pivot is nearest the lowermost edge of the wing through substantially a half turn into a position wherein the pivot is adjacent the upper edge of the wing and the wing is substantially vertical, and for then moving the wing bodily substantially vertically into initial position, the axis of said support and pivot being stationary relatively tothe airship.

8. In an airship, a movable wing, and means for operating said wing continuously, through a downward rotation consisting of substantially a half turn and then bodily upwardly, including a pivot revoluble about a relatively fixed axis, and a member movable with the wing and in const-ant engagement with said pivot.

9. In an airship, a movable wing, and means for operating said wing continuously, through a downward rotation consisting of substantially a half turn and then bodily upwardly, comprising a toothed member of closed outline and having arcuate ends, at the end of the wing, a gear wheel in continuous engagement with said toothed member, and a support for the toothed member serving as a pivot therefor during the rotational movement of said wing.

l0. In an airship, a pair of opposed wings, and means for rotating said wings in opposite directions simultaneously through a substantially semi-circular path and then simultaneously through a. substantially vertical path into position for the next rotational movement thereof, each of said wings moving` in said semi-circular and vertical paths alternately, said means including a relatively lixed pivot for each of the wings.

ll. In an airship, a plurality of pairs of wings, means for moving the wings of a pair simultaneously in opposite directions through a downward rotational movement to balance the airship, and for moving the wings of a pair bodily and simultaneously substantially vertically, in alternation with the rotational movement, said means being timed so that each pair of wings is at a different point in its path at any given instant to produce a continuous upward pressure upon the airship, and including a pivot having a relatively flxed axis.

12. In an airship, a Substantially rigid frame, a plurality of pairs of wings mounted for operation in and supported by said frame, and means for operating each pair of said wings at different times continuously alternately through a downward rotational path wherein the tip of the wing moves through a semi-circle of which the wing width is the radius and an upward path wherein the tip moves through a distance equal tothe width of the wing, to produce upward pressure upon the airship.

13. In an airship, the combination with a motor, of a substantially rigid frame, a plurality of pairs of opposed wings supported by said frame, and means operatively connected to said motor for operating the wings of a pair simultaneously in opposite directions rst through a comparatively rapid downward angular movement of 180 then comparatively slowly and bodily upwardly in the plane of the wing through a substantially vertical path, said pairs of wings being timed to enter their rotational movement at spaced intervals.

14C. In an airship, a wing, means for moving said wing alternately through a partial downward rotation and through a substantially vert-ical path, and means for cushioning the wing upon a change of direction from the rotational movement to the vertical movement.

15. In an airship, a wing, means for moving said wing alternately through a partial downward rotation and through a substantially vertical path, and means for cushioning the wing upon a change of direction from the rotational movement to the vertical movement.

16. In an airship, a substantially rigid frame, a pair of wings mounted for movement in said frame, means for operating each of said wings continuously through a rotational path and an upward path alternately including a pivot having its aXis vfixed relatively to the airship, and a motor carried by said frame and operatively connected to said means. y

17. In an airship, a movable wing symmetrical about the center line thereof, one edge of said wing being curved in a direction opposite to that in which the other edge is curved, and means for operating said wing y through a downward rotational path and for then feathering said wing whereby thevk opposite edges of said wings become operative alternately.

18. In an airship, a wing symmetrical about the center line thereof, and means for operating said wing for partial rotation about one edge thereof and then for upward movement alternately and continuously including a-pivot having its aXis Xed relatively to the airship, said means reversing the position of the edges of the wing after each complete stroke.

19. In an airship, a wing, means for mov-` ing said wing about one edge thereof as a pivot through a partial rotation and for then moving said wing upwardly, and means for cushioning said wing during kthe latter part of its rotational movement and prior to the upward movement thereof.

Q0. In an airship, a wing mounted for operation through an angle of substantially 180o, and means for operating the wing, comprising an elongated annular toothed memtation of the gear wheel, the wing is given a y y movement in a'path substantially that of a semi-circle closed by a vertical diameter.

GUSTAVE L. KAYDEN.

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